What sophomore jinx?
His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.
The sophomore playmaker was named the Inquirer Sports Player of the Week for his outstanding performances since the kickoff of the 73rd UAAP Men’s Basketball tournament last July 10.
Garcia averaged 21.5 points in the back-to-back victories for the Tamaraws, who remain the only squad boasting of a clean slate at this point in the tournament.
“I just do what is needed for the team,” Garcia said in Filipino.
The soft-spoken 20-year-old matched his career high 25 markers in a telling win over defending champions Ateneo, 72-69, last July 11 where he nailed four triples and figured in a crucial three-point play down the stretch which spurred from right baseline drive to put them ahead with 1:19 left.
“He’s a complete player,” gloated head coach Glen Capacio of his 5-foot-11 star guard, who also had another stellar showing in the win over National U 76-72 where he dropped seven of his 18 points in the payoff period.
Despite playing for a veteran-laden squad, Garcia is picking things up for FEU amid the disappointing sub par performances from its senior stringers JR Cawaling and Aldrech Ramos.
“I’m happy that RR is finally stepping out as the leader of the team. He has served as my coach on the floor,” added Capacio.
